As we conclude our Catholic Schools’ Week, my thoughts turn to the topic of Catholic identity. Catholic identity, simply defined, is the mark of a Christian who is deeply rooted in Christ and the Church that He espoused. It means not being afraid to proclaim with your words and actions that you belong to the Catholic faith. It is a faith that is deeply personal, but never private. Indeed, one cannot sincerely follow the Catholic faith without bringing that faith into the public forum.

 

This notion of Catholic identity is especially important when dealing with education. Believing deeply and living the teachings of the Church does not take away from higher learning; rather, it greatly enhances it. The facts of history confirm that the Catholic faith is responsible for advances in learning like biology, architecture, art, and civil government. The contributions of Catholic education are vast and all encompassing, including the invention of telescopes, international law, irrigation machinery, the university system, and much more. Because the Catholic faith sees reality from a wide perspective, it is able to enhance the arts and sciences we study so that they are more impacting and long-lasting.

 

Unfortunately, many cultural and societal changes have seriously eroded Catholic identity in our own time. For example, Sunday has lost its prominence as a day of rest and worship, many children are left unbaptized, moral norms are abandoned, and many traditional observances like abstinence and fasting are disappearing. This is no doubt the result of materialism, relativism, and secularizing trends in our culture.

 

If we are to recover these hallmarks of Catholic identity and learning, a few important steps must be taken. First, we must reclaim Sunday as the day of the Lord and the Christian’s day. Sunday Eucharist must take first place, along with quality family time, over and above things like sports and other activities. One good way to do this is to attend Mass as a family and enjoy a nice family dinner afterward. Secondly, Catholics should enhance their knowledge of the Sacraments, especially the Real Presence in the Eucharist. Given the confusion that has arisen lately, another look at the sanctity of Holy Matrimony would also be in order. A basic knowledge of Catholic doctrine is another important step. Lastly, we should rediscover the great Catholic works of art, especially the contributions made in visual arts, music, and literature. Survey the works of Michaelangelo, the angelic sound of Palestrina, and the rich story-telling of J.R. Tolkien as examples of this rich tradition.

 

With so many saints who were educators and so many examples of Catholic ingenuity, we owe it to ourselves and our to world to be bold in our practice of the faith. May the Lord bless all our faithful schools and institutions of higher learning.